The Habit: They're Meticulous About Washing Their Face
While the makeup routines of our interviewees varied, they all have one thing in common: They remove every speck of it every single night.
To wash away every last trace of dirt, pollution and makeup from the day, do as the flawlessly skinned (and Japanese) do, and double cleanse. Carol, 24, always uses an oil cleanser to remove her makeup before washing with her regular cleanser to get her face squeaky-clean and ensure no pore-clogging makeup is left. Bonus points if you use a sonic cleansing brush, like the classic Clarisonic, a product many respondees are fans of.
Why you should try it: Remember those pesky free radicals? If you don't thoroughly wash your face at night, not only are you leaving oil-clogging makeup behind, you're also leaving wrinkle-causing pollution all over your face. In the short term, going to bed without washing your face can lead to breakouts and uneven skin tone; in the long term, it leads to free radical damage (AKA wrinkles and dullness).
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The Habit: They Do Their Downward Dogs
You don't need to hit the gym every single day, but you do need to exercise consistently. Our women with perfect skin did all kinds of activities, from going on runs every other day to doing cardio and core strengthening exercises twice a week.
A study at McMaster University in Ontario found that after age 40, men and women who exercised frequently (think: three hours of moderate exercise a week) had skin that was closer to that of 20- and 30-year olds -- even if they were older than 65.
As for post-workout skin care: Dawn uses and acid-based cleanser if she's worked up a sweat with sunscreen on to head off breakouts, while Kristen, a 41-year-old from the Bay Area, always gets her cleansing in within an hour of sweating. Moral of the story? Don't let your sweat sit too long on your face, or say hello to acne.
Why you should try it: Exercise isn't just good for your body and mind. In fact, Jaliman says it is very important to the health of your skin because it increases the blood supply and flow to your skin, bringing it nutrients and making it healthier and glowier. Time to start actually using your Equinox membership.
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The Habit: They Don't Drink Diet Coke
The women we interviewed definitely weren't guzzling soft drinks or ordering take-out every night. While they admitted to the occasional indulgence (chocolate and wine were common), for the most part these women noshed on whole foods like fish, veggies, fruits and nuts.
New York-based makeup artist Joey noticed a serious turnaround in her skin after she did a major diet overhaul, and has a smoothie every morning consisting of several leafy greens, flax oil, chia seeds, lemon, blueberries and, occasionally, protein powder. They also skip processed foods, and limit added sugar. A common thread among the women was that they nourished their body with healthy lifestyle choices, which allows them to have low-maintenance skin care routines that complement their lifestyles.
Why you should try it: Turns out, you really are what you eat (We know -- shocking, right?). Fruits and veggies are essential to glowy skin because they are high in radiance-boosting antioxidants called carotenoids. "It has been show that [antioxidants] increase the glow to the skin and improves the color of the skin," says Jaliman -- making you look healthier and younger. She recommends pairing green and orange produce with plenty of healthy fats, like avocado (of which several of our responders eat at least once a day), which increases your body's absorption of carotenoids.
The Habit: They Know the Right Way to Exfoliate Their Skin
Maybe it sounds a little new age-y, but part of having great skin is being intuitive about its needs. Exfoliation regimens in our interviewees ranged from once a week to once a day, depending on their skin's needs -- but it was a process they all did routinely. For instance, Joey discovered that the multitude of masks, steams and treatments she used to do began to be more irritating -- as opposed to skin-beautifying -- as she got older.
Why you should try it: Exfoliation is extra important because you have to shed the dead skin cells on the surface in order for the skin to glow -- kind of like how a snake sheds its scales (only less gross). But there's no magic exfoliation number that works for everyone, and that's because some people have better natural exfoliation than others, says Jaliman. "As you age, the exfoliation process becomes more sluggish and cells turn over more slowly. It's important to use an exfoliant more often to compensate for this change in turnover."
In general, if you are oily and prone to acne, you need to exfoliate more than people with normal skin in order to help remove clogged pores and blackheads. It's also important how you exfoliate: oily skin can use cleansing grains and even glycolic or salicylic acid.
People with rosacea, sensitive skin or eczema, however, will want to exfoliate less for optimal results. In lieu of chemical exfoliants or harsh scrubs, they may want to choose a sonic cleansing brush designed for sensitive skin, though Jaliman also recommends using green tea (a mild antioxidant) or lactic acid for light exfoliation.
The Habit: When They Wear Makeup, They Choose the Right Formula for Their Skin
You might think that flawlessly skinned women steer clear of makeup. But radiant 83-year-old Scotty wears a full face every day; her routine includes a light liquid foundation, a little blush, lipstick and eye makeup ("To me, going without makeup is like not wearing clothes," she explains.) The trick is experimenting with different formulas until you find the one that works with your skin.
Why you should try it: Jaliman says that you don't need to shy away from wearing makeup every day, as long as you remove it and choose the correct makeup for your skin type. Oily, acne-prone skin should steer toward non-comedogenic makeup, while people with dry skin or eczema should look for moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin in their face makeup.
We all know her: The woman who has the kind of amazing, perfect skin (seriously, where are her wrinkles?) that makes you wonder if she's resorted to witchcraft, or just has a really good dermatologist. Turns out, her face is full of secrets -- and we're here to spill them. We chatted with women of all ages who have the glowy skin of our dreams to see what steps keep their skin flawless.
"So many times I say to a patient, 'You have such beautiful skin,' and they'll say, 'Well, my grandmother at age 90 had no wrinkles,'" says Debra Jaliman, MD. "But that doesn't mean if you were dealt a bad hand in the genetics department that you can't overcome it."
Here, the eight steps women with perfect skin always do -- try them and say hello to radiant skin.
